Clarification of Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers (CDLOs) in Scotland: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Clarification of Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers (CDLOs) do they exist in Scotland?
1) When did the Scottish Government know that NHS Grampian and other Scottish healthcare trusts not have controlled drugs licenses for over a decade, and NHS Grampian also did not have one for HMP Grampian for at least 6 years. Yet still gave prisoners access to methadone?
2) Why does NHS Grampian not audit their controlled held drugs in police custody? Is this a Scottish Act of Parliament?
3) Why does the Scottish Government allow NHS Grampian to store Dihydrocodeine in police custody and give it without consent, or prescriptions to detainees?
4) Which authorities are responsible for monitoring and enforcing controlled drugs licenses? Why were the missing licenses not identified?
5) Why does the Scottish Government allow controlled drugs accountable officers (CDAOs) in NHS Grampian and other Scottish healthcare trusts not set up local intelligence networks ( LINs) in the regions? Does Scotland have an exemption from these regulations?
6) Why does Police Scotland believe that the role of controlled drugs liaison officers are not statutory despite:
“The 2006 Health Act introduced various measures to improve public health and NHS operations, including a ban on smoking in public places, increased age for tobacco sales, and enhanced regulation of controlled drugs. It also established Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers (CDLOs) to link police and health authorities in managing controlled drugs part 3 section c 1 s 17.”
Why, does Police Scotland believe it is exempt from the regulations?
7) Who is responsible for establishing LINs and how often should they meet?
8) Is the CDLO an important element in the LIN?
9) Why did Police Scotland tell SPICe, that they had an unofficial CDLO (DS Craig Bookless) who as since taken up another position, but Police Scotland are looking to create a CDLO soon? What is the Scottish Government view of the status of CDLOs do they exist or not, are the voluntary or official post?
Response
Some of the information you have requested is available online. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. I have included the relevant links to the question below:
- Question 7, you can find further information here: Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers Network (Scotland) – Healthcare Improvement Scotland
1) When did the Scottish Government know that NHS Grampian and other Scottish healthcare trusts not have controlled drugs licenses for over a decade, and NHS Grampian also did not have one for HMP Grampian for at least 6 years. Yet still gave prisoners access to methadone?
An April 2023 inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate Of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) and Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) of NHS Lanarkshire custody units revealed issues similar to those in Grampian: inadequate Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST), lack of controlled drug licenses, and underreporting of health incidents.
2) Why does NHS Grampian not audit their controlled held drugs in police custody? Is this a Scottish Act of Parliament?
The Scottish Government does not have this information. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. You may wish to contact NHS Grampian who may be able to assist.
However, we are aware that NHS Grampian does share information with Police Scotland and the Dispensing Chemist.
HMICS and HIS have also developed a framework to inspect healthcare services within police custody. Please refer to attachment two for more information on this.
3) Why does the Scottish Government allow NHS Grampian to store Dihydrocodeine in police custody and give it without consent, or prescriptions to detainees?
NHS Grampian advised Scottish Government in November 2024 and July 2025 that in the absence of a controlled drug licence permitting the administration of Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT), the administration of any medication for people in custody who are prescribed ORT in the community is based on a clinical assessment regarding the most appropriate and safest treatment for the person whilst in custody and this has included the administration of dihydrocodeine where clinically appropriate. Detainees do not receive Dihydrocodeine as an opioid replacement, rather it is used in opioid withdrawal in line with NHS Grampian Guidelines. It is current practice that following clinical assessment, patients' medication is prescribed and administered if deemed clinically safe to do so - no Police, Nursing or Medical staff administer Dihydrocodeine or any other medication without prescription.
(Full copy of letter attached – attachment one).
4) Which authorities are responsible for monitoring and enforcing controlled drugs licenses?
In the UK, the Home Office monitor and regulate organisations that possess, manufacture, produce or supply controlled drugs. Companies must obtain a domestic controlled drug license from the Home Office, before being able to perform any activities.
Why were the missing licenses not identified?
The Scottish Government does not have this information as it is the responsibility of the license holder for maintaining it and renewing if necessary. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
5) Why does the Scottish Government allow controlled drugs accountable officers (CDAOs) in NHS Grampian and other Scottish healthcare trusts not set up local intelligence networks ( LINs) in the regions? Does Scotland have an exemption from these regulations?
Please refer to attachment two for more information.
6) Why does Police Scotland believe that the role of controlled drugs liaison officers are not statutory despite:
“The 2006 Health Act introduced various measures to improve public health and NHS operations, including a ban on smoking in public places, increased age for tobacco sales, and enhanced regulation of controlled drugs. It also established Controlled Drugs Liaison Officers (CDLOs) to link police and health authorities in managing controlled drugs part 3 section c 1 s 17.”
Why, does Police Scotland believe it is exempt from the regulations?
The Scottish Government does not have this information. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, you may wish to contact Police Scotland who may have this information.
7) Who is responsible for establishing LINs and how often should they meet?
The Scottish Government does not have this information. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, you may wish to contact the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers Network (Scotland) who may have this information.
8) Is the CDLO an important element in the LIN?
The Scottish Government does not have the information. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
9) Why did Police Scotland tell SPICe, that they had an unofficial CDLO (DS Craig Bookless) who as since taken up another position, but Police Scotland are looking to create a CDLO soon?
The Scottish Government does not have the information. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. However, you may wish to contact Police Scotland who may have this information.
What is the Scottish Government view of the status of CDLOs do they exist or not, are the voluntary or official post?
Please see attachment two for more information.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we do not have the information are explained in the Annex to this letter.
ANNEX A
REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION
The Scottish Government does not hold some the information requested
The Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have asked for. As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. However, the attached response details on who is best positioned to provide you with the information you requested.
About FOI
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Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG